An ecological footprint is a measure of sustainability. It assesses, in the broader sense, the impact particular operational practices are having on our environment in relation to energy-land, pasture, cropland, forestland, consumed-land and biodiversity.

An ecological footprint can show the amount of land required to support the lifestyle of an individual, region, community, nation or an industry. It is an estimate of the area a population uses, to produce all or part of the natural resources it consumes and to assimilate the waste it generates.

The City of Port Phillip is using an eco-footprint calculator developed by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria. To calculate your footprint click on link - Eco-footprint calculators.

Sustainable Living at Home (SLAH)

SLAH participants are required to complete a household eco-footprint as part of the program. Once they have submitted the initial footprint, they have the choice of implementing a worm farm or compost bin.

On completion of the program, participants complete a second eco-footprint and compare it to the initial one to see the changes they have made in their personal sustainability.

If you would like to participate in the exciting SLAH program and gain assistance with completing your footprint, register for the next SLAH series SLAH program and registration.

Sustainable Traders Program

The Sustainable Traders Program, running from October 2003 to March 2004, provides Port Phillip traders with information and real solutions about becoming environmentally sustainable businesses.

The program is voluntary and aims to bring about change in trader behaviour, save money and improve our environment.

The program is for all Port Phillip traders - from restaurants, cafes and take-away outlets to bookshops, accounting firms, clothing stores and everything in between -regardless of their level of environmental awareness.

As part of the Sustainable Traders Program, a Port Phillip Officer will measure the eco-footprint of participants.

For more information about getting involved in the Sustainable Traders Program, click on the link to the program web page Sustainable Traders.

Environmental Advocates

As part of the internal Environmental Advocate program, council staff are collecting data to measure the footprint of main council buildings, such as St Kilda Town Hall, Port Melbourne Depot and South Melbourne Town Hall. It is envisaged that this will lead to the measurement of other council building footprints.

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Environmental Policy & Programs.